Historic ATAA Delegation to Bulgaria
Bonnie Joy Kaslan, ATAA Trustee Chairperson, ATAA Education Committee - Our official visit to Ankara had ended June 13th and we began preparations for the next phase of this year's Assembly delegation to Bulgaria. Fourteen of us represented the Assembly as we landed at Sofia's small, clean but stark airport. We were met by our guide, Rossitsas Kouzmanova, who having worked as a tour guide for more than 25 years, was extremely knowledgeable in all facets of the more than 1300 years of Bulgarian history.

Bulgaria, slightly larger then Tennessee, has a population of approximately 10,000,000 people, 10% of whom are ethnic Turks. Bordered by Romania, Yugoslavia, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey, Bulgaria, having earned its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1878, considers herself the southern flank of Europe.

Our official meetings began on Monday, June 17th so we had a weekend to take in and absorb the culture and history of Bulgaria. From the landscape perspective, Bulgaria is truly beautiful, lush with dense forests of coniferous and deciduous trees in many shades of green. The fields were sprinkled with bright red poppies, rows of lavender as well as acres of small-faced sunflowers. Bulgaria's buildings reflect her Ottoman past, such as the city of Plovdiv, where we were accompanied by Consul General Kemal Dirioz. Sofia has an Austrian Germanic feel to many of it magnificent post Ottoman Empire buildings. The pavers, around the plaza, were a gift from the Austrian emperor upon independence from the Ottomans. They were ochre in color, thus giving a new meaning to "Follow the yellow brick road." The structures many of them apartments, constructed during the communist era, were box-like, drab and devoid of personality.

ATAA delegation programs are usually full days, each hour packed with briefings and dialogue. This was no exception. Our official program began Sunday evening with a dinner hosted by the Movement for Rights and Freedom officials whose party is the coalition partner with the party formed by former King Simeon II. The Movement for Rights and Freedom Party led by Mr. Ahmed Dogan has as its members ethnic Turks, Muslims, Bulgarians, Romas and Jews.

Monday, June 17th began with a briefing at the American Center in Sofia where we were told of Bulgaria's importance to the U.S. in the context of NATO, that the economic relationship between the two countries was stable, not profound, as U.S. investments in Bulgaria were 6th, that elections have been free, fair and democratic and that the U.S. sees Bulgaria as a stabilization factor on the southern European flank, especially regarding Greece and Turkey. We were then briefed at the Turkish Embassy by Ambassador Haydar Berk who is known to many of us from his Washington D.C Embassy days. In those days, many of us remember the horrific attempt by the then communist regime of Todor Jivkov to "Bulgarize" the Turkish ethnic community, forcing over 350,000 to leave their lands, homes and business, fleeing for their lives to safe havens, most notably Turkey. Several explanations for this disastrous policy were put forth. A most notable one was what the communists considered as lack of ethnic balance within Bulgaria. The negative growth rate of Bulgarian ethnicity and the positive rate for ethnic Turks and other Muslims was unacceptable to the regime. Thus, it was most interesting to learn of the political progress of the Turkish ethnic minority while acknowledging that there are still roadblocks along the path to equality and participation in every aspect of Bulgarian society.

Within the ruling coalition of the National Movement for Simeon II and the Movement for Rights and Freedom, 120 seats are held by the NHS (or King's Party) and 21 seats are held by the MRF (predominantly ethnic Turks). Disparity within the economic and educational framework still does exist, yet the potential for favorable resolution appears to be more positive in Bulgaria when compared to the Turkish ethnic minority living in some other countries.

Monday's luncheon was hosted by newly appointed American Ambassador James W. Pardew, retired Colonel, followed by an afternoon of meetings beginning with Mr. Ivan Petkov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Petkov as well as representatives of the Americas and Europe Directorate emphasized the strong relationship between Bulgaria and the U.S., particularly as anti-terrorism coalition partners. It became ever so clear that no matter where we went, the message from our Bulgarian hosts was the same in that there is a clear political consensus that the road to Bulgarian prosperity is two fold, i.e., access to the European Union and NATO. Our meeting with Mr. Mile Keremedchiev Deputy Director of Economy, brought to light Bulgaria's pragmatic steps to achieve European accession. To facilitate that goal, the Bulgarian government has brought triple digit inflation down to one digit, formed a currency board, tied the Lev to the Deutsche Mark, established free trade zones with 50 years land leases and are privatizing certain industries.

It is interesting to note that while we had bilingual, sometimes trilingual translations, our presenters were extremely articulate in English as well as being young dynamic (between 35-48 years old) and passionate about Bulgaria's EU prospects.

Tuesday, June 18th began with a meeting with State Minister Nezhdet Mallov and Mr. Nik Marinov. The minister explained that since the days of "re-identification" and name changes he has been a witness and instrument along with many others to the present day changes and progress. He stated that the social and economic status of ethnic Turks was, in the past, related to the areas in which they reside. He claimed that the same could be said for Bulgarians. Those living in the south and northeast were economically impacted by mountainous, non-fertile, non-arable loads. Yet their main occupation was agriculture and thus not sufficient for a good living. According to the minister those living in the northern part of Bulgaria, with its larger cities, have access to a larger concentration of industries for better employment as well as agriculturally fertile and arable lands.

Our meeting with Chief Mufti Selim Mehmed painted a different picture regarding disparity in terms of income and unemployment figures between mainstream Bulgarian society and the minorities.

Mr. Stanimer Ilchev, Chairman of the Foreign Policy Defense and Security Committee of the Parliament, in his welcoming remarks, sought to reassure us that today's relations with Turkey have nothing to do with prior years. According to Mr. Ilchev, this is the best time in the Turkish Bulgarian relationship as politicians from both sides have a well established good will for cooperation since Turks and other Muslims have lived for centuries in Bulgaria. These past twelve years have brought many changes for democratization and there is a strong political will and spirit of cooperation among all parties to joining NATO and the E.U. This was an often-repeated phrase. The leadership in Bulgaria wants the world to know that they are ready and want very much to be accepted into NATO and the E.U.

Our final official meeting was with Mr. Ünal Lütfi, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. Of all our hosts/presenters, he was the most direct in discussing the "Bulgarization process" during the communist regime of Jivkov. He was also acutely aware of the roll ATAA played during these months and years of harassment and persecution of the ethnic Turks. Mr. Lütfi said so eloquently, "So now these years are in history but not forgotten. We are looking forward to meeting our friends under democracy."

Ambassador Haydar Berk and Mrs. Berk hosted the delegation, inviting our Bulgarian hosts, bureaucrats and government representatives to a reception at their residence, which is one of the finest historic buildings in Sofia. Their reception was an important way to continue dialogue and discussion in an informal, relaxed manner on subjects touched upon during our formal meetings.

The next several days, June 19-23, were spent visiting major cities such as Veliko Turnovo, Russe, Razgrad, Shoumen, Varna, Nessebur and Burgas. The delegation met with local officials and members of the Turkish minority and visited historic and cultural sites, many of importance to Turkish cultural and historical heritage. The deputy mayor of Veliko Turnovo, the second Bulgarian capital, Ms. Erdzhan Alkova, explained that there was a strong NGO sector with international projects in twelve municipalities. The design for the development of Veliko Turnovo's city center was a cooperative project with Golden, Colorado. She, as so many officials before her, urged the ATAA delegates to assist them in putting the word out that Bulgaria is looking for investors and to meet that goal, have, hopefully, minimized bureaucratic challenges and impediments. However, numerous visa requirements still exist for Turkish citizens desiring to do business in Bulgaria.

The delegation was warmly welcomed throughout the trip and was showered with familiar Turkish hospitality. There were instances when we felt we were somewhere in Turkey, given the signage in Turkish, the style of architecture and the language spoken. This was especially remarkable given that many of the ethnic Turks had never been to Turkey. Some music reminded one of the Black Sea Region or Thrace and the cuisine tasted familiar yet had distinctive differences, such as the use of sunflower oil rather than olive oil. Bulgaria does not have olive groves and thus very little olive oil.

For those of us who remembered the dark days of the late 80's, this trip to Bulgaria was a most pleasant, enjoyable journey and learning experience, with many surprises along the way.

The Bulgarian officials and bureaucratic representatives were eager to explain that Bulgaria is proud of its democratic evolutionary process and its partnership with the Movement for Freedom and Rights party in the ruling Coalition. Bulgarians take pride in explaining that they consider themselves to be a model for peaceful, harmonious and equal coexistence in a democracy comprised of different ethnic and religious groups. Bulgarian officials, business people and media representative alike expressed their keen desire to be a contributing member of NATO as well participants in and beneficiaries of the European Union.

Given this determination, collective political consensus as well as encouragement and support from Turkey and the United States, one can fully expect Bulgaria to access the European community in a relatively short time.